Advancement
Advancement is the process by which youth members of the Boy Scouts of America progress from rank to rank and is the method by which we promote and encourage the ongoing involvement and commitment that keeps members coming back for more. It works best when it is built into a unit’s program so that simply participating leads to meaningful achievement and recognition—and to a continually improving readiness for more complex experiences.
Everything done to advance—to earn ranks and other awards and recognition—is designed to educate or to otherwise expand horizons. Members learn and develop according to a standard. This is the case from the time a member joins and then moves through the programs of Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, and Venturing or Sea Scouts.
Experiential learning is the key: Exciting and meaningful activities are offered, and education happens. Learning comes from doing. For example, youth may read about first aid, hear it discussed, and watch others administer it, but they will not learn it until they practice it. Rushing a Scout through requirements to obtain a badge is not the goal. Advancement should be a natural outcome of a well-rounded unit program, rich in opportunities to work toward the ranks.
Become a Merit Badge Counselor
The Merit Badge Counselor is a key player in the Scouts BSA advancement program. Whatever your area of expertise or interest—whether it is a special craft or hobby (basketry, leatherwork, coin collecting), a profession (veterinary medicine, aviation, engineering), or perhaps a life skill (cooking, personal management, communications)—as a Merit Badge Counselor, you can play a vital role in stirring a Scout’s curiosity about that particular topic. Contact a member of the Council staff to learn more.
Each Service Area maintains and posts a current listing of approved Merit Badge Counselors (MBC’s). The TRC Advancement Page is the sole place that the Service Area MBC lists are posted, in accordance with Section 7.0.2.2 Web-Based Counselor Lists of the BSA Guide to Advancement. TRC does not post the MBC lists in Scoutbook.
These Service Area listings are password protected and only made available to registered unit leaders. Merit Badge Counselors who appear on the approved listings below are eligible to serve. Those who have not submitted their completed Youth Protection Training have been removed from active status and may not mentor at this time. Please contact your Service Area Dean of Merit Badges for access credentials or more information.
Service Area # 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Christine Blake-Jeremias - Dean of Merit Badges
trciroquoisdean@gmail.com
Service Area # 1, 2, 3
Susanne Leahy - Dean of Merit Badges
svleahy30@gmail.com
Service Area # 10, 11, 14
Gary Berkowitz - Dean of Merit Badges
garyberkowitz@gmail.com
Service Area # 9, 12, 13, 15
Tony Gulotta - Dean of Merit Badges
tony3feathers@optonline.net